The East Access Route in Alberta is one of 3 access routes to the Alaska Highway logged in The MILEPOST® (the others are the West and Central Access Routes both which depart Washington and travel through British Columbia). This was the first and only access route to Dawson Creek, BC—and the start of the Alaska Highway—when the Alaska Highway opened to civilian traffic in 1948. The original route differed somewhat from today’s because Highway 43 was not completed until 1955. Instead, motorists had to drive north from Edmonton via Highway 2 to Athabasca, then west to High Prairie, then south to Grande Prairie, AB. Today’s route goes directly from Edmonton to Grande Prairie and Dawson Creek via Highway 43 through Whitecourt and Valleyview.

GF 216 FORT MACLEOD (pop. 3,117), “Home of the North West Mounted Police,” at junction of Highways 1 and 3; all services. Visitor information at the Fort Museum of the Northwest Mounted Police (closed Nov.–April). Lodging at The Sunset Motel, phone 403-553-4448 or email.GF 218Junction. Head north on Highway 2 North for Calgary.